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Original poster

What to expect from an iron infusion?

13 replies

Mumma02 · 30/05/2023 10:29

Have my first one tomorrow after having low levels for 3.5 years!

Read that some people can fell unwell after them which is not great timing with my kids off for half term.

Anyone have any experience?

OP posts:
longtompot · 30/05/2023 10:58

I have had two a year apart and they both made me feel so much better. I could walk upstairs without feeling so out of breath, or even bend down to get something out of a kitchen cupboard. At its lowest my ferritin was 3, so pretty bad and I also had a blood transfusion. I did read on the literature they gave me before if that it can make some people feel unwell, but the first one I had I had to stay in the hospital for a few hours afterwards to make sure I was ok. They are done a week apart, so not too much in one go. I hope it helps you as much as it helped me

Original poster
Mumma02 · 30/05/2023 12:51

@longtompot thanks so much. They haven't really given me any guidance. Hoping I'll be ok and can feel as well as you!

OP posts:
Throwncrumbs · 30/05/2023 13:02

I had one recently and it did make me feel unwell for a few days, prob about two weeks later is when I did feel a bit better and that’s increased. Have had loads of tests to find out why my hb was 88 and my ferretin 5, but no reason found atm. Seeing a haematologist soon as have also had dvts recently. Hopefully it will be beneficial for you.

Iheartmysmart · 30/05/2023 13:12

I had one a few years ago. No side effects apart from a slightly swollen hand and bruise from the IV needle. I have to warn you though that mine made absolutely no difference to how I felt and my follow up blood test showed my ferritin had only gone from 3 to 25. Quite why remains a mystery.

Redannie118 · 30/05/2023 13:19

I get them a few times a year. There is a well known side effect called " iron flu" which can make you feel unwell and like you have flu for about 2 days after the infusion. Not everyone gets it, but its very common( i always get it) so I would prepare for the worst but hope for the best. It will take about 10-14 days for the iron to kick in, but then you will feel so much better that its totally worth it.

Whiskeypowers · 30/05/2023 13:23

I’m having my second tomorrow
had my first one hair over five years ago when pregnant with my third child
my ferritin levels are really low again and have been for some time . Being unable to take any form of iron supplemental or prescription orally doesn’t help either.
after my first one I felt amazing. It took about a week to really start making a difference. Like another poster said being able to walk upstairs or up a hill without feeling breathless and dizzy was great

hope it goes well for you and you feel the benefit quickly

FatCatBum · 30/05/2023 13:48

I've had two, the few days after we're not nice (all of my joints and muscles ached) but I felt so much better after

CherryKolaKubes · 30/05/2023 13:55

I had one every few months for 2yrs and I was so worried about the ‘flu’ or other symptoms. I was absolutely fine, and a couple wks after I felt like I had energy for first time in years after so long being breathless when walking etc.
I thought the effects would be immediate, but it was explained to me that it takes time to build up.
I was a bit nervous about the actual iv, but it only took about 45mins/an hour and it was nothing to worry about.
Good luck op, you’ll be fine and hopefully feeling much better in a few weeks.

Original poster
Mumma02 · 30/05/2023 14:41

Can I ask you all what your iron levels were before having them and what they were raised to?

My iron is currently 6 and ferritin is 11. Probably lower now as this was 2.5 weeks ago and I've just had another heavy period!

I'm worried about iron flu as I'm meant to be away Fri/Sat for our anniversary so timing is great...but waited so long for this, don't want to put it off.

OP posts:
FatCatBum · 30/05/2023 16:09

Mumma02 · 30/05/2023 14:41

Can I ask you all what your iron levels were before having them and what they were raised to?

My iron is currently 6 and ferritin is 11. Probably lower now as this was 2.5 weeks ago and I've just had another heavy period!

I'm worried about iron flu as I'm meant to be away Fri/Sat for our anniversary so timing is great...but waited so long for this, don't want to put it off.

I don't know my iron levels but

First time my haemoglobin was 87 and ferritin was 0. I had 2 x 1000mg ferinject 1 week apart and felt mildly ill for just over a week. on blood tests a couple weeks later was low end of normal.

Second time (14 months later) haemoglobin was 72 and ferritin was 5. 2000mg of monofer and felt horrendous for 2 days. Hasn't been sufficient time to get new bloods done yet!

Natsku · 30/05/2023 16:22

I had one after my youngest was born and can't remember it making me feel particularly unwell or anything (I mean, I walked 5km home afterwards) but I was pretty weak anyway as I had very recently given birth. I remember there is a risk of a bad reaction so you have a nurse in the room with you the whole time just in case (at least I did, I assume its the case elsewhere too) and it takes quite a long time

Iwantcakeeveryday · 30/05/2023 18:32

I have had two, painless and no side effects. I had good haemoglobin but only 7 for ferritin. It did go up to 47, but I did not feel that different! I had a few hormone issues too so perhaps that is why. I now only have 30 ferritin normally, and not diet as hubby has 110. Don 't know what it is.

Whiskeypowers · 02/06/2023 12:13

@Mumma02 did you have it? How did it go if so?
had mine and hoping it starts to have an effect in the coming weeks as it did last time

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